Finding Essential Connections Alternatives For Girls’ Role Model Celebration | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS’ ROLE MODEL CELEBRATION | HONORING THE 2021 AFG ROLE MODELS PILLAR OF STRENGTH Piston Group PVS Chemicals Robert Bollinger, The Bollinger Foundation, and Bollinger Motors PILLAR OF HOPE Comerica Bank Ford Motor Company RACHEAL ALLEN PILLAR OF LIGHT Founding COO, Marygrove Conservancy Ajax Paving Industries, Inc Mercedes-Benz Financial Services PILLAR OF INSPIRATION David & Anne Knill Don Manvel GM FINANCIAL Peter & Carol Walters Trinity Health MARIFER CALLEJA PILLAR OF DREAMS Program Manager, DTE Energy Ascension Southeast Michigan DTE Energy Hodges Subaru Kathleen Ligocki MGM Grand Detroit The Home Depot PATRON SPONSOR Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Dakkota Integrated Systems, LLC AGNES HAGERTY Fenner Melstrom & Dooling, PLC Attorney, Trinity Health Françoise Colpron-Schwyn GJC Henry Ford Health System Mary Kramer Metro West Chapter of Credit Unions Michele Samuels Dr. Pamela Reid PrimeStaff International Ruby + Associates Stuart & Barbara Trager LISA LUDWINSKI TI Fluid Systems Head Baker and Founder, Sister Pie Warner Norcross + Judd LLP 2 3 The promise GM Financial has a strong history of support for Alternative for Girls of tomorrow and is a proud Pillar of Inspiration demands sponsor of the 2021 Role Model Celebration. our careful stewardship gmfinancial.com At PVS Chemicals, ROLE MODEL CELEBRATION COMMITTEES we are committed to SELECTION COMMITTEE AUCTION COMMITTEE ® the Responsible Care Jim Maier Kyla Carlsen Ana Mirzoyan Hana Chung of Lisa Fisher Alex Korell Chris Stesney-Ridenour Sue Merritt our environment, Cassandra Gilliam Carolyn Normandin Dale Henderson Charles Raab our communities, Carolyn Normandin Courtney Young Amy Lawrence Marissa Graziano and our employees. Kyla Carlsen PVS Chemicals, Inc. Linda Ross 4 5 OUR 2021 ROLE MODEL CELEBRATION HONORARY CHAIR: WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Amy L. Good AFG Chief Executive Officer Anne Doyle, Power Up Women! The Podcast 2021 Role Model Celebration Honorary Chair Christine Moore ANNE DOYLE Chair, AFG Board of Directors Anne Doyle is a global speaker, author, journalist, business executive, podcast host, former elected official and lifetime change agent who has been on the front lines AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS of women’s progress for nearly five decades. She is the author of POWERING UP! How America’s Women Achievers Become Leaders and the host of two podcasts: With Chris Aslanian “POWER UP WOMEN!” and the “Game Changers” podcast of the International Women’s Forum. She began her career as a trailblazing TV news and sports broadcaster in the AWARDS PRESENTATION 1970’s and 1980’s and was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame for Racheal Allen her national leadership role in opening sports locker rooms to women journalists. Presented by: Yazmine Alexander, AFG Outreach and Education Services Lisa Ludwinski Presented by: Marisol Leon, AFG Prevention Marifer Calleja Presented by: Lizbeth Bahena, AFG Prevention Agnes Hagerty Presented by: Brionne Davis, AFG Outreach and Education Services TESTIMONIAL Lauren Sowell, New Choices Program Introduction by Sandra Ramocan, Director of AFG Outreach and Education Services FUND THE MISSION Chris Aslanian CLOSING REMARKS Amy L. Good 6 7 AFG WELCOMES OUR 2021 ROLE MODEL CELEBRATION EMCEE: CHRIS ASLANIAN Christopher Aslanian has been providing exceptional auction services since 1991 and has raised millions for nonprofits and other charitable organizations. Christopher has spent thousands of hours behind the microphone as a voice - over artist, emcee and auctioneer, making him a consummate professional. Christopher prides himself on his stage presence that guarantees to make an event entertaining and successful. Previously based in Michigan, Christopher now resides in San Diego with his children. Ascension Online Care Anywhere, anytime Ascension Online Care is here for you and your family 24/7. From anywhere, at any time, talk with a doctor using your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Get the care you need and start feeling better. No insurance required. See us for a wide variety of symptoms and conditions, including: • Cold/flu • Seasonal allergies • Eye infections • Sinus or upper respiratory infections • Fever • Urinary tract infections Get started at ascension.org/onlinecare or download the mobile app. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or dial 911. Available in all 50 states © Ascension 2020. All rights reserved. The “Android” name, the Android logo, the “Google Play” brand, and other Google trademarks, are property of Google LLC. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc. All rights reserved. 8 9 AMANDA L. GOOD DEAR FRIENDS, CEO, Alternatives For Girls Welcome. Thank you for supporting Alternatives For Girls’ 32nd Annual Role Model neighborhoods. Our outreach department reached over 2,000 young and adult women at risk in Celebration—special pandemic edition! We so appreciate your joining in this virtual way, many ways, as sex trafficking continued throughout the pandemic, going even more “underground.” as we stay safe yet still respond effectively to the urgent needs of the girls and young AFG’s casework staff and peer leaders helped those facing sexual exploitation or caught up in women we serve during this difficult year. perilous behavior to access the resources and support needed to make positive choices. Tonight’s theme, “Finding Essential Connections,” is core to AFG’s mission; the girls and Without you, none of this would be possible. women we serve thrive through the relationships they create and nurture. “Finding Essential Connections” has allowed us all to survive this pandemic; we still need to be Over 32 years, we’ve had the pleasure of honoring over 75 exceptional women at our annual connected to one another and can do so, despite the physical distancing we’ve needed to Role Model Dinner. Tonight we add to that history with four truly extraordinary role models. overcome. We are all reminded of the profound necessities of connections, even when We’re proud to honor: they don’t come easily. Racheal Allen – Founding Chief Operating Officer, Marygrove Conservancy We gather to celebrate not only four extraordinary Role Models but also the thousands of girls, and young women AFG has served this year who have overcome onerous obstacles Marifer Calleja – Program Manager, DTE Energy to finding connections, sometimes despite lifetimes of experiences that have undermined Agnes Hagerty – Attorney, Trinity Health their sense of trust in others. Many have journeyed from terrible situations, such as homelessness, violence in their communities, or exploitation. They have been courageous Lisa Ludwinski – Head Baker and Owner, Sister Pie enough to reach out for help, rebuild family ties, and build connections with those who will support their positive aspirations. Buoyed by new and renewed relationships, they reach They are dedicated, courageous and have demonstrated that our setbacks only make us stronger. their goals, being the first in their families to attend college, forging a path toward a fulfilling They have followed their dreams and built powerful connections that cascade in wonderful ways. and sustaining career, owning their own homes, becoming leaders in their communities. They have been champions in their communities and supported those who needed a helping hand. Each of them inspires the girls and young women at AFG, and tonight they continue to serve Your support continues to be crucial to their success. The COVID -19 pandemic has hit as concrete examples of the power of leadership, hard work, and giving back. homeless and high-risk girls and young women particularly hard; those without a safe and stable place to stay, without access to safe transportation, health care, even PPE, and On behalf of Alternatives For Girls’ board of directors and staff, thank you for joining us to celebrate those with long histories of chronically stressed immune systems suffer from exacerbated the achievements of our 2021 Role Models, and of all the girls and women whom AFG proudly exposure to this dangerous virus. AFG’s shelter, crisis resource center, outreach, and all of serves. Your support makes all the difference. Thank you. our programs provide a lifeline. Last year, 171 homeless girls, young women, and their children were served in our housing and aftercare programs, on their way from crisis and With my deepest gratitude, isolation to building a strong future. AFG’s prevention program served 405 girls and their family members, primarily virtually but also through countless home visits and deliveries of everything from food to laptop computers and hot spots, helping them stay safe, focused on their education, and supported on their path to becoming leaders in their schools and Amy L. Good, CEO 10 11 IN MEMORIAM 2021 AFG Board of Directors Christine Moore, Chair – Executive V.P. & General Auditor, Comerica Bank Chris Stesney-Ridenour, Vice Chair – Stez Consulting Nu Tran, Treasurer – Financial Advisor, TruVista Wealth Advisory Kate Cherry, Secretary – Development Director, Detroit Future City D’Anne Carpenter – Retired from Trinity Health Chekenya Goodwin, Student and Community Volunteer CASEY WILLIS Casey Willis was a member of AFG’s Board of Directors, a former Peer Educator Jeriel Heard – Director; Jail Population Management, Wayne County Sheriff in our Outreach and Educations Services Program, and a Wayne State